Firefighters are the first people we call when we smell smoke or see flames. We rely on them to save our homes and loved ones, while they put their own lives at risk. On Monday, more than a dozen local and state leaders got a sense of what goes into fighting fires by getting a hands-on look at the different roles of the job.

The Minneapolis Fire Department recently accepted applications for the first time since 2006. Since then, more than 2,000 people applied. It’s the first step in a process that will include a written exam, oral interview and then an intense physical fitness test.